13-year-old entrepreneur told no hot dog sales

Nathan Duszynski, 13, decided he wanted a hot dog cart, so he could earn some money. But as he was setting up shop Tuesday in the parking lot of Reliable Sports at River Avenue and 11th Street — across the street from Holland City Hall — a city of Holland zoning official shut him down.

He fought the law, and the law won — well, city of Holland zoning ordinances did.

Nathan Duszynski, 13, decided he wanted a hot dog cart, so he could earn some money. But as he was setting up shop Tuesday in the parking lot of Reliable Sports at River Avenue and 11th Street — across the street from Holland City Hall — a city of Holland zoning official shut him down. Now, after spending more than $2,500 to start up his business, Duszynski is throwing in the towel, his mom said.

He was setting up a temporary shop in a Commercial-3 zone, said Phil Meyer, director of Community and Neighborhood Services. The C3 district covers the downtown area, and vendors such as Duszynski are not allowed outside of Tulip Time, Meyer said.

“I felt like it was the spot to get a lot of business,” Duszynski said.

“Now we’re stuck with all these hot dogs,” his mom, Lynette Johnson, said.

Duszynski, his mother and step-father went to city hall to get a permit prior to opening up. After conversations with the deputy city clerk and the mayor, the family believed it would be OK to set up shop, Johnson said. But they were never told about zoning regulations; and they were sent to Ottawa County for the permit.

In the spring, the Ottawa County Health Department took over permitting for restaurants and food vendors in the area. The county issues a permit for a specific location, but does not take into account city zoning. To move the cart to a different commercial zone, another permit would have to be purchased, Johnson said.

Lessons in finance

Duszynski’s parents agreed pay for half the cost of the cart, Johnson, said. Duszynski saved Christmas and birthday money, did odd jobs for neighbors and extra chores to earn the other half.

“He still had to keep his grades up,” Johnson added.

The money spent was supposed to turn into money earned to help the family, who has fallen on hard times, for a car and to save for his college education.

The family is from Holland but is living with friends in Grand Haven for now, Johnson said. They still spend a lot of time in Holland, Duszynski said, especially at the Herrick District Library.

Not your average teenager

At 13, most kids don’t consider going to city hall and addressing the city council. Duszynski did. In fact, he was an unexpected observer at the Holland City Council’s budget retreat in February where he expressed concerns about the library eliminating hours; Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra explained to him the library has its own board of directors.

He’s also spoken out about the lack of bus service on Sunday, Johnson said. He thought people should be able to get to church.

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Ken Vos, owner of Reliable Sports, has been a mentor to Duszynski, and the 13-year-old often spends time at the business. Vos agreed to let Duszynski sell hot dogs in the parking lot.

“It’s on personal property,” Johnson said.

Duszynski was still new to the business, but he had some success during his first venture in Kollen Park at Tulip Time. It was the rain that shut down that trial.

Threw in the towel

The cart cost $1,800, some repairs were needed and with the cost of food and the $208 temporary food vendor permit, the family is out some money “that we really didn’t have,” Johnson said.

“We’re just really irritated,” she said. “My son was almost in tears. Why do they make it where kids can’t do anything?”

Working the hot dog cart keeps him out of trouble and keeps him working, Johnson said, adding, “And he’s helping his mom and dad.”

“We worked when we were 9- and 10-years-old,” she said, arguing that too many children sit at home and play video games. “He’s always been taught to do more — read the newspaper, watch the news.”

He has already talked about running for an elected office, Johnson said.

‘Set of rules’

Over the years, there have been numerous requests to set up temporary vending sites in the downtown district, Meyer said. “And the answer is always the same.”

The city council makes exceptions for Tulip Time, he said.

While there are other exceptions, Duszynski’s hot dog cart just doesn’t fit into any of them, Meyer said. Peddlers are allowed downtown, as long as they don’t stay in one place for more than 10 minutes and are at least 17 years old. There are cafe provisions, but those apply to permanent downtown restaurants that set up a temporary site, Meyer said.

“There are other places that he would be able to place his food cart,” Meyer said, such as industrial or commercial districts outside the downtown area. “This isn’t anything against hot dog vendors, but there are a set of rules.”